Newsletter 14 August

Sino-Indian Standoff:

Indian state oil companies ban usage of Chinese tankers

In the signs of escalating tensions between India and China, the Indian government-owned oil companies have decided to stop chartering transport tankers owned or operated by Chinese companies. The step came after heavy tariff duty imposed by China on Indian Optical Cable Fibers, yesterday.

Previously, New Delhi banned some more than 100 apps and multiple biddings in power and telecom sectors, citing security reasons.

Congress’s former president, Rahul Gandhi twitted “GOI is scared to face up to Chinese intentions in Ladakh. Evidence on the ground indicates that China is preparing and positioning itself. PM’s personal lack of courage and the media’s silence will result in India paying a huge price.”

Chinese state-affiliated Global Times refuses to carry India’s response on Pak envoy’s Kashmir remarks

Chinese state-affiliated media Global Times declined to carry a response of the Indian embassy in Beijing to the interview they carried of the Pakistani envoy to China, Moin-ul-Haque where he made claims about Kashmir that India completely rejects.

The Indian Embassy, then twitted it’s response with above comment, to contradict the article entitled “Urgent actions on Jammu, Kashmir needed: Pak Ambassador” and added “UN report cites violence conducted by Indian forces on civilians” on Aug 6^th (1).

However, regarding ‘Kashmir’ both China and Pakistan are at the same pace. It’s read like “For this year alone, around 200 innocent Kashmiris have been killed, around 50 cases of rape and molestation and nearly 1,000 cases of destruction of houses and property have been reported,” said Haque.

China and Pakistan share dreams of development, peace and security in the region. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor heralds prosperity for our future, Haque said on Fri on the eve of Independence Day

The points made in the statement are as follows:

In the last one year since the historic decision on Aug 5^th 2019, several positive and affirmative union laws have been extended to J&K, resulting in the more effective protection and promotion of social, economic and political rights, especially among underprivileged sections such as women, children and minorities.
People have been afforded the opportunity to elect their representatives at the grassroots level through elections to the block development councils on Oct 24^th
The administrative machinery of the UT has been revived, grievance redressal mechanisms activated and funding to grassroots level institutions eased, bringing about a revolution in governance and making the Kashmiri people masters of their own destiny.
Evidence of the change sweeping through J&K can be seen in the creation of new education and health infrastructure and opportunities. Fifty new educational institutions were established in the region over the last one year, the largest addition in 70 years. Over half a million Kashmiri students have availed government scholarship schemes through the course of the last one year, a year-on-year increase of nearly 400%.
New health infrastructure, including medical and nursing colleges, as well as state-of-the art hospitals, will soon make affordable and high quality healthcare services a reality in the region.
The government of JnK has advertised 10,000 job openings for youth at all levels, with another 25,000 in the pipeline. Concerted efforts to attract foreign investment to the region have seen over 150 MOUs concluded.

Rural market interventions and leveraging of IT have brought benefits to farmers in a region known for its apples and saffron. The focus on relieving hardships has brought water and electricity connections to nearly 300,000 households in some of the remotest areas of J&K.

RBI Board approves transfer of Rs 57,128 crore as surplus to Govt. for the accounting year 2019-20, the central bank said in a statement

The decision was taken at the 584^th meeting of the Central Board of the Reserve Bank of India chaired by Governor Shaktikanta Das.
The Board reviewed the current economic situation, continued global as well as domestic challenges, and monetary, regulatory and other measures taken by the RBI to mitigate the economic impact of COVID-19 pandemic.
“The Board also approved the transfer of Rs 57,128 crore as surplus to the Central Government for the accounting year 2019-20, while deciding to maintain the Contingency Risk Buffer at 5.5%,” the RBI said.
Further, the Central Board discussed the proposal of setting up an Innovation Hub.

Ashok Gehlot Govt wins confidence vote in Assembly

In Rajasthan, more than a month long drama finally ended after Confidence motion, which is brought by ruling Congress party, itself.

“The vote of confidence which was brought by the govt has been passed with a very good majority today in the Assembly. Despite various attempts by the opposition, the result is in favor of govt”: Congress leader Sachin Pilot, main caused of dilemma over the State Govt.

Bangalore Violence Row….

Videos & Facebook chats accessed by media and they claimed that person behind ‘protest’ was Kalim Pasha who mobilized the mob.

The murderous mob behind Bengaluru violence was allegedly mobilized.

Rapid Action Force, Karnataka State Reserve Police and Bengaluru police conduct route march in KR Market, Chamarajpet, and Kalasipalya police station limits. “Around 680 police personnel, including 9 DCPs, 14 ACPs, and 31 inspectors will be deployed. A unit of the Garud Commando Force, 10 KSRP platoons, and 10 KSRP battalions will also be at the venue apart from enhanced security measures taken across the city already,” Pant said.
The Bengaluru police have arrested 60 accused including Congress corporator Irshad Begum’s (Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike) husband, Kaleem Pasha on Fri morning regarding Devarajeevanahalli (DJ Halli) and Kadugondanahalli (KG Halli) violence which took place on Tue night.
Sandeep Patil, the Joint Commissioner of Police (crime), said, “In the violence and rioting cases in the city so far we have arrested 206 accused including Kaleem Pasha and a detailed investigation and the process to identify the others are still underway.”
Meerut bounty announcer booked, on the charge of disturbing communal harmony, in which he purportedly announces a bounty of ₹51 lakh on the head of Karnataka MLA R. Akhanda Srinivasa Murthy’s nephew for allegedly posting a post on social media that hurt religious sentiments.
In the video, Mr. Rizvi could be heard appealing to Muslims to contribute to the bounty money. He is said to be associated with the Samajwadi Party (a state based) in the past and now describes himself as a social worker.

Defense Minister, RN Singh has launched ‘SRIJAN’ Indigenization Portal. This portal will give information on items that can be taken up for indigenization by the private sector, as part of ‘Atmanirbharta Saptah’.

On this portal, DPSUs/OFB/SHQs can display their items which they have been imported or are going to import which the Indian Industry can design, develop and manufacture as per their capability or through joint venture with OEMs.

Four Contracts of Defense India Start-up Challenge and four MoUs between industry partners and Defense PSUs were signed in presence today. A number of Expression of Interest/ Request for Proposal were also issued, said Singh.

Signing of these MoUs and contracts will give impetus to self-reliance in technologies related to Defense manufacturing. Self-reliance in Defense manufacturing has not been envisioned only as domestic requirement but also with perspective to build export capabilities

‘Naga Independence Day’ celebrated in Nagaland, Manipur

Seeking self-rule, Nagas had declared independence a day ahead of India’s in 1947
The 74^th ‘Naga Independence Day’ was celebrated in Nagaland and parts of Manipur on Fri amid a renewed push for a final solution to the long-drawn Naga political issue involving several extremist groups.
The Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) led the celebration in Nagaland by hoisting the ‘Naga national flag’, which is one of the demands made by Naga organizations for an “honorable” solution to the 23-year-old peace process.
- The Isak-Muivah faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland or NSCN (IM) had in mid-1997 declared a ceasefire with the Indian Govt to end almost five decades of an armed movement.
- Other extremist groups came on board since 2001 but the Myanmar-based NSCN (Khaplang) faction reneged on the truce in Mar 2015.
- While tribe and area-based Naga organizations unfurled the “national” flag in parts Manipur where Nagas are in a majority, the Global Naga Federation marked the day elsewhere in the country and abroad.
- The NSF had earlier asked all its federating and subordinate units to hoist the Naga national flag and send the compliance report along with pictorial evidence to its office for documentation.
- The NSCN factions and their predecessor Naga National Council say the Nagas had declared their independence on Aug 14, 1947 and that 99.9% of the Nagas had voted in favor of a sovereign nation during a plebiscite in 1951.
- Nagaland had attained statehood in 1963. The moderates signed the Shillong Accord in 1975, seen as the first peace agreement, but the hardliners had rejected it outright and continued with the armed movement for Naga sovereignty.

Pak fulfilling all its international obligations relating to Jadhav, claimed by Army

Pakistan is fulfilling all its international obligations to death-row convict Kulbhushan Jadhav: the Army
Responding to a question on Jadhav, Pakistan Army spokesman Major General Babar Iftikhar said, “The decision of the ICJ on Kulbhushan is being implemented.”
“We are following international law… Consular access was given to fulfil obligations under the ICJ verdict,” he said in Rawalpindi.
However, India expressed its disappointment over Pakistan not providing an “unimpeded, unhindered and unconditional” consular access to Jadhav.

Background

Pakistan provided consular access to Jadhav in July, days after it claimed that he had refused to file an appeal in a court here against his conviction.
The Islamabad high court on August 8 constituted a larger three-member bench to hear the petition filed by the government to appoint a legal representative for Jadhav.
Pakistan claims that its security forces arrested Jadhav from the restive Balochistan province on Mar 3, 2016 after he reportedly entered from Iran.
While, India maintains that Jadhav was kidnapped from Iran where he had business interests after retiring from the Navy.
Iftikhar also accused India of committing human rights violations in Kashmir.
Jadhav, a retired Indian Navy officer, was sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court on charges of espionage and terrorism in Apr 2017.
Weeks later, India approached the International Court of Justice (ICJ) against Pakistan for denial of consular access to Jadhav and challenging the death sentence.
The ICJ, then, restrained Pakistan from executing him.
In July last year, the Hague-based court ruled that Pakistan must undertake an “effective review and reconsideration” of the conviction and sentence of Jadhav and also to grant consular access to India without further delay.

Two JnK cops killed in a JeM Militant attack, 3 injured

When terrorists fired indiscriminately on their convoy in Nowgam area bypass on the outskirts of Srinagar, police said.
Area has been cordoned off, search operation underway. This happened despite of Intel input tight security deployment.
“We have such inputs every year before Aug 15^th and Jan 26^th. We had inputs that they will try (to attack) in some area. The boys were alert and prepared, but they (the militants) came from the rear side and fired on them,” IGP Vijay Kumar said.
Operation Trenarian (Dogi Pahad), Baramulla (J&K) was launched on Aug 11 based on inputs about presence of weapon/ ammunition cache. Recoveries including 3 pistols with magazine and ammunition, 73 AK rounds, 2 detonators, 15 grenades and Pak’s currency made on Aug 13: Chinar Corps
Police on Fri claimed to have arrested 2 militant associates, affiliated with Jaish-e-Muhammad and recovered explosive material from their possession in Awantipora, along with 42 RR and 180 Bn CRPF have arrested 02 militant associates linked to proscribed outfit JeM,” said spokesman.

Arms, ammunition recovered from Assam’s Kokrajhar

A huge cache of arms and ammunition including explosives, grenades and AK- 56 rifles were recovered from hidden beneath the ground, by a joint team of police and army in Western Assam’s Kokrajhar district on Mon, said top police officials.

Kokrajhar SP Rakesh Roshan said acting on a specific input, an operation was launched by police in the Tulshibari area under Kokrajhar district.

The weapons recovered included two AK 56-rifles, three AK-56 magazines – two .36 HE grenades, two detonators and 211 rounds of AK ammunition.

Neighborhood

Pakistan

PM Imran vows to ensure rule of law to achieve Quaid’s vision

In the message of Independence day, he addressed to brave Kashmiri brethren, the PM Imran Khan said “our nation stands united with them in their just struggle to self-determination. He said we will provide them with all the support at all levels as they valiantly fight India’s illegal occupation.”

“Special message for the people of Pakistan by Mushaal Mullick, wife of Kashmiri Freedom Fighter Yasin Malik, on 14^th Aug” shared a video by Pak State TV, which read as “People of the scenic valley have been battling for their right to self-determination for last several decades to complete the unfinished agenda of Kashmir. I appeal to all Pakistanis to become a voice of every Kashmiri and should stand by them to turn the dream into a reality.”

Pakistan denies rift with Saudi Arabia

The Pakistani Army on Thurs rejected any rift with Saudi Arabia and said the upcoming visit of Army Chief, Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa to the kingdom was pre-planned, said Army spokesman Major General Babar Iftikhar, on asking Bajwa was going to Riyadh to fix some irritants in bilateral ties.

Afghanistan

An explosive device was planted in a motorcycle near a mosque in the 17th district area of Kabul & exploded when police tried to defuse it, injuring one policeman: Tolo News reports quoting Kabul Police Spokesman

Nepal: People hold protest at Chakrapath Chowk near Pakistani embassy in Kathmandu over atrocities against Hindus in Pakistan.
Protestors held placards and chanted slogans, demanding justice to Hindus and stop cruelty against them.
Such protests also held earlier too on July 13.

NEWS IN BRIEF

SC adjourns the hearing of a plea by a group of 6 former senior bureaucrats for an independent inquiry commission into central government’s alleged ‘gross mismanagement’ of COVID19 pandemic in the country. The court said that it’s not in favor of appointing a commission.
As a longstanding friend of India, Australia joins wholeheartedly in its celebration of independence and extends our warm congratulations to the people of India: Australian PM Scott Morrison on India’s Independence Day.
Congress Amritsar MP Gurjeet Singh Aujla warns Pakistan PM Imran Khan to stop harassment/ oppression of Sikh girl Jagjeet Kaur who was forcefully/ illegally converted to Islam. Says if matter not resolved, he will take up issue with PM Narendra Modi for speedy justice.
The product comes with life cover of ₹ 10 lakh as against ₹ 2 lakh for an average card. HDFC Bank Ltd. on Friday announced the introduction of ‘Shaurya KGC Card’, a loan product for the armed forces personnel.
35-year-old Naresh Kumar, Assistant Commandant of CRPF has scripted history by getting his 7^th Police Medal for Gallantry (PMG) awarded. The young officer has received 7^th PMG in the last 4-yr making him the most decorated officer.
ITBP gives recommendations for 21 Gallantry medals, 294 DG Gallantry Commendations for its personnel, to MHA, for displaying raw courage and bravery during face-offs with China and skirmishes in Eastern Ladakh in May-June, 2020: Indo Tibetan Border Police.

Nation Amid COVID-19

Kerala likely to see sharp rise in COVID-19 cases in Aug, Sept with daily infections expected between 10,000 and 20,000: State Health Minister K K Shailaja.
A record high of 8,48,728 COVID19 tests were conducted in the last 24 hours. This has taken the cumulative tests to 2,76,94,416: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
India exported 23 lakh PPE to 5 countries in July: Health Min.

https://www.globaltimes.cn/content/1196947.shtml